Saturday, February 6, 2016

"Old Florida"

We call places like this "Old Florida" even though we appreciate the 'new' changes, like the beautiful bridge I'm standing on to take these photos.

 

(And for those that asked about alligators....skip to the end! haha!)

There are marshy areas around the Withlacoochee River bridge and lots of 'wildlife'.

 

These photos were taken last May. We didn't see any alligators the last time we went but I had gotten a few good photos then.


This is a small gator.

 

Not sure how 'small' this one is.

 

And how do you like old mossback? 

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE.

North Central Florida is a wonderful place to live, with wildlife galore. You just have to respect the 'critters' that have made their home here much longer than we have and ENJOY the beauty that surrounds us.

24 comments:

Kelly-Anne said...

Oh my...Diane! Those alligators have me gasping - I doubt I'd like to get too close to these fellas...they look a bit too scary for me! Such gorgeous scenery...thank you for sharing your lovely pictures with us!
Blessings on your weekend!
Kelly-Anne

Stacey said...

Beautiful! That mossback turtle is so neat. :)

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

I always say if I were to move to FLorida, it would have to be where there is some "old Florida"... but the gators.. although I respect them and they have their rightful place in the world, they scare the heck out of me.

Pondside said...

We never say alligators when we were in Florida, but then, I didn't want to go anywhere where there might be a chance of a sighting! The water looks so still and serene in your photos, but the sight of an alligator head gives the real picture!

handmade by amalia said...

Gorgeous photos, Diane. Those gators are seriously scary, even the small one.
Amalia
xo

The Bear's Blog said...

Very nice. For the very first time in my life I do not live close to a coast, I have always loved going down the shore in NJ, even CA had a beautiful, rocky coast. FL coast was very different from what I know, living in the northeast.

I honestly can say I don't miss being close to an ocean, I am loving the mountains and certainly love the winter and snow.

Alligators - no thank you.

Happy Saturday.

Susie said...

Diane, I have to say, you have shown us some really unusual critter pictures. I love that first picture so much. My daughter and I talk about how we wish we could go thru a rain forest. I say I would need a spacesuit on , as all the creepy crawly things would make me nuts. She says she wants Bear Grylls as her guide...then I say I want all the "Riverdance " troop with me..she says why them...and I say so they can stomp all the crawling things. LOL Please wear bug spray, as it's getting scary now. Blessings to you, xoxo,Susie

Lil Raggedy Angie said...

Old Florida is breathtaking . Hope you have a great weekend~ hugs Angela

Ricki Treleaven said...

You post some of the prettiest wildlife photos, and I enjoy them so much. What a fun post, and I like the turtle!

xo,
RJ

Jeannie Marie said...

Very nice captures of the gators. You've got to love our wildlife1

Debby said...

Is that turtle supposed to have all that moss. You always show us beautiful nature in your state.

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

Such peaceful and beautiful scenery. Well not sure those alligators are all that peaceful - but still great photos. I think I would be very afraid of them Happy weekend my dear.

cynthia lee designs said...

Beautiful photos!!
hugs,
Cindy

EL RINCON DE CHELO said...

Bonitas fotos!!

Pam~ Virginia Retro said...

Love your old FL photos Diane! Miss those mossy trees, but not the gators. Hubby took me fishing in a canal in a jon boat once. Gators galore, and a one time experience for me, lol. Love the turtle. :)

Linda said...

Love the moss backed turtle. Not sure about the gators though :)

Vee said...

The moss backed turtle was pretty cool to see. I didn't know that such things existed. Is it good for them to have moss growing on their shells. I couldn't live in Florida if I ever saw an alligator. My aunt and uncle have alligators sunbathing along a canal in their backyard...nope. Could NOT handle it.

eileeninmd said...

Hello, I am not too crazy over the gators. But, I am OK as long as they keep their distance. The moss covered turtle is cool. Great photos! Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Have a happy new week ahead!

Anonymous said...

Oh, your snaps are just great! Love the moss hanging down but those gators! They would scare me to death! Thanks for popping in to see me and I'll be back to see your Wee Ones! :)
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

20 North Ora said...

Those gators would scare me to death. We went to NASA in Florida and saw one in the culvert along the highway. I could not believe the people who were stopping their cars and getting out. They were getting so close to take pictures. I wasn't that brave! LOL

Have a great weekend.

Judy

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Oh yeah! It's the 'old Florida' that keeps us coming back, although I appreciate the modern conveniences like walkways and bridges (and also appreciate mosquito spray... I always think what it must have been like for those who lived in here when it was the only Florida there was!) Anyway loved your pictures; I'll have some alligators later this week...we just got back from the Everglades.

Deb said...

Great photos Diane, old Florida is a magical place! Deb xo

Breathtaking said...

Hello!:) Lovely unspoilt scenery of the old Florida,.. and lushious vegitation in the water. I'm also not so keen on the gators, but would like to see them at a safe distance. The moss backed turtle is an unusual sight, but excellent camouflage for would be predators.
Have a good week!:)

Red Rose Alley said...

What pretty green pictures of the marshland, Diane. When the girls visited New Orleans, they saw many of these marsh areas. Wow, you got a small gator, good for you! It's funny how different parts of the states hold many different things. For instance, southern California has different weather, trees, and flowers than northern California. I see that Florida has some changes also.

love, ~Sheri